Create swatches containing reproducible colors in print

To avoid any conflicts between the different players in the graphics chain, why not create color charts or palettes containing only colors that can be reproduced by the printer?

Whether in the fields of textile printing, UV, Sublimation, traditional inkjet, etc ... if the printers provided designers with color charts containing colors that they would be able to reproduce on their jet d ink, designers and contractors would have an exact idea of the colors they would get in the final print.

The concept

The principle is simple, it suffices to print charts containing the colors of the color charts (Pantone, RAL, etc ...) on the printing system and the media which will be used during the production of the printed matter. These test charts will be measured and converted into color charts which will then be used by graphic designers in their software (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, CorelDraw, etc.), as well as by printers who can import them into their RIPs (Caldera, ONYX, EFI, Wasatch, Epson Edge Print, etc ...)

First step: Create or import a color chart

In the chapter "Color table" you will find the procedures for:

- Importing color charts (for example: Pantone, RAL, etc.)
- Creating color charts by measuring samples of leather, fabric, vinyl, etc. using a spectrophotometer
- Mix and update existing color charts

For more information, see chapter: Color tables

Step two: Create a color table from a spot color chart measurement

In this chapter, you will use the Print Control module to:

- Create a test pattern in pdf format
- Measure the test pattern
- Generate the new color chart

For more information, see chapter: Creating a table from a spot color chart measurement

Third step: Rename the colors of the table

The names of the colors contained in the color chart may be codified in order to avoid any conflicts with the reference colors.
For example: PANTONE 106 C will be renamed V7000-Vinyl 106 C
V7000-Vinyl 106 C will be the rendering of Pantone 106 C reproduced on the Epson SC-V7000 UV table

To find out more, see the chapter: Renaming the colors of a table

Fourth step: Export the color chart for graphic designers

The use of color charts in design software will allow graphic designers to have an exact idea of the colors they will obtain during the final print (provided they have a screen capable of faithfully reproducing the colors)

For more information, see chapter: Exporting to Adobe Photoshop

For more information, see chapter: Exporting to Adobe Illustrator

For more information, see chapter: Export to Adobe Indesign

Or to other tools (CorelDraw, etc ...)

Step five: Export the color chart for printers

Importing the color chart into the RIP will allow printers to automatically manage the colors contained in their customers' files.

For more information, see chapter: Exporting a color table to the RIP Caldera

For more information, see chapter: Exporting a color table to the Onyx Postershop RIP

For more information, see the chapter: Exporting a color table to the EFI Fiery RIP

For more information, see chapter: Exporting a color table to the Epson Edge Print RIP

For more information, see chapter: Exporting a color table to the ColorGate RIP

Sixth step: Creation of a printed color chart

The printing of the color chart can be produced directly on the printer and the media used.
It will serve as a reference for graphic designers, sales representatives, contractors and end customers.

For more information, see the chapter: Create a printable color chart

For more information, see the chapter: Preparing to print and cut a color chart